The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-12
THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINES.

Mr.. DowelPs five page poem, "Credidimus
Jovem Regnare," will undoubtedly be the
first thing to which readers of the February
atlantic will turn. In it Mr.. Lowell, half
seriously, half humorously, expresses the be-
lief that the former days of faith were hap
pier than these of speculation. The poem
abounds in clever hits, and will be read with
great interest. John Greenleaf Whittier also
contributes poem entitled "a Day." and
William Winter one named "Perdita." The
first part of an unusually well-told and anus
ing story, called "The Lady from Maine,"
seems to indicate that the Atlantic has again
been fortunate enough to hit upon hitherto
unknown writer of good short stories. The
two strong serials, 'The Second Son." by
Mrs. Oliphant and Thomas Bailey Aldrich,
and paul Patoff," by F. Marion Crawford,
are continued, and Mr.. Fiske has paper on
"The Federal Convention" The Blue-Jay
is infinitely and brightly described by Olive
Thorne Miller, and ga Glance Backward"
by Susan Fenimore Cooper, contains remin-
iscences of her father and his work. These
are few of the articles. The number is par
ticularly strong and interesting.
The second february number of Scrib-
ner's Magazine opens with an article of gen.
eral and scholarly interest, entitled, "The
Likenesses of Julius Cesar" by Mr.. John G.
Ropes, the well-known writer of military
history, which is superbly illustrated with
eighteen portraits, reproductions of photo
graphs from statues. These photographs are
from the absolutely unique and complete
collection of the likenesses of Cesar, owned
by Mr.. Ropes, and the completion of which
he has made his especial study for many
years. The second installment of ex-Minis-
ter Washburnes "Reminiscences of the
Siege and Commune of Paris" is even more
interesting than was the first, dealing as it
does with the most exciting incidents of the
siege: The illustrations to the article are
abundant, spirited, and of high artistic value.
There are several short stories, poems and
an important article on "Our Naval Policy"
The new Scribner's is very readable and has
evidently come to stay. 1t has met with
marked success, having already reached $780,
900 circulation. Charles Scribner's Sons,
New York.
The February Century contains an article
by George Parsons Lathrop on "The Bailing
of Jefferson Davis" 1t presents for the first
time the complete and curious history of the
influences and occurrences which led to Da-
vis's liberation and the abandonment of his
prosecution, showing how extreme Abolition
lists like Greeley and Gerrit Smith co. oper-
ated with extreme Democrats in bringing
about this result The material for this arti-
Gle is mainly derived from the recollections
| and documentary evidence of Ex-Chef JUS
tice Shea, of the Marine Court, who was the
attorney of record in the Davis case, with
| Charles O'Conor as senior counsel. fac
simile of the power of attorney given to
George Shea by Greeley, Gerrit Smith, and
Cornelius Vanderbilt to sign the bail bend
accompanies this paper.
| Common School Education for January is
the first number of a new magazine, pub
lished in Boston, under the editorial man.
agement of DR.. William A. Mowry. Its par-
pose is to develop definite plan and system
in teaching the common school branches of
study, and in discussing whatever subjects
are connected with common school work.
| Christian Thought for February will be
sought after by many who are not its regular
subscribers, and no doubt the subscription
list will be increased by virtue of the excel
lent things it contains. Certainly the selec-
| ton of a class of superior articles are brought
to notice in the current issue. The chief ar
Heart" by Prof. Benjamin c. Blodgett. The
treatment of the subject is extended and
| with skillful art. "The Labor Problem and
the Churches" by William Goodwin Moody, is
paper read before the American Institute
of Christian Philosophy and strikes at pop
ular question in manner teachable and at
tractive "The Labor Troubles and the
Sabbath Law" by DIR. Charles F. Deems, the
Editor, is timely and pungent. "The La
borer not a Commodity" by the Ri. Rev.
Henry @. Potter, is of great value in the
| great question which SO agitates society.
"Views and Reviews" contain short, pithy,
and pointed articles of value to the clergy,
students and all interested in scientific and
biblical knowledge. The number should be
sent for and kept as book of reference on
the subjects so ably treated. Wilbur B.
hotcndIn, NEW lOrK.
The February Harper's opens with an en-
tertaining article on that quaint and charm
ing region in the Bayou Teche county of
Southern Louisiana, known as "The Acadian
Land" where Evangeline's people, the AGA
dams of Nova Scotia, settled, upon their
Punishment from the British province at the
beginning of the last century. The peculiar
tiles of this strange little world, which still
| retains its secluded independence, its simple
habits, and its curious French potois, are
Interestingly described by Charles Dudley
Warner as he recently saw them, and the
picturesque aspects of the section are beau
tifully drawn by his fellow-traveler, Mr..
William Hamilton Gibson. Joe jefferson 8
charming island home, famous for its orange
plantation, is in this section, and after read
ing of its attractions one is surprised, not
that the actor spends most of his time there
in quiet enjoyment of his artistic and theat-
rical studies, but that he does not become so
infatuated with his isolated paradise as, like
the lotus eaters, to forget the remainder of
creation. In fact, this is known to have very
nearly occurred in the case of some of his
guests, who had become so enamored of his
luxuriant retreat that they experienced the
struggles of Ulysses in escaping from the
fascinating spot. This, however, was prob
ably due in part to the delightful hospitality
of the genial Rip Van Wrinkle. Petite Anse
Island, with its wonderful salt mines, adjoins